third, but the Steelers defense failed as Brees

third, but the Steelers defense failed as Brees

Inviato: 08/02/2018, 6:23

da lw789

NEW YORK -- Three words raced through Seattle Seahawks linebacker Malcolm Smiths mind as he streaked toward the end zone in the Super Bowl, returning his interception of a pass by Peyton Manning: "Dont get caught." That, Smith explained Monday at a news conference, would be the "typical thoughts a defensive player (would have) with the ball." And he heeded his own advice, going 69 yards for a touchdown on that play. He added a fumble recovery later and earned MVP honours as Seattle beat Mannings Denver Broncos 43-8 for the Seahawks first NFL championship. At no moment during Sundays action did Smith think he would take home the award. His teammates did. "Even during the game," Smith recalled, "guys were like, You might be MVP. And I was like, No way. No way. Not me. But to be here, its just pretty cool." Smith is not one of those players who long ago seemed destined to wind up getting the keys to a new vehicle the day after the Super Bowl, a sponsors prize for the big games best player. Coming out of college at Southern California -- where he was coached by the Seahawks current boss, Pete Carroll -- Smith wasnt invited to the NFL combine, where top prospects are measured and evaluated. Then, when the 2011 draft rolled around, he wasnt taken until the seventh round, the 242nd player chosen. Seems to fit right in with the Seahawks, more than a third of whom werent even drafted at all. "He didnt like it, but he had to go in the seventh round. Hes proven otherwise, just like a lot of other guys in our program," Carroll said. "I think it was extraordinary last night to see Jermaine Kearse score a touchdown, and Doug Baldwin score a touchdown, and Malcolm gets in the end zone and scoops up another fumble," he continued. "Guys that are not the heralded guys coming in competed in our program and found a way to contribute in enormous ways." By way of explaining in a euphoric locker room Sunday night why he was an appropriate choice for an MVP from these Seahawks, Smith said: "Im just fortunate to be a part of it, fortunate to get opportunities. Im happy to be amongst a bunch of guys that play with attitudes and chips on their shoulders. Im happy to represent that." He went on: "You might have been overlooked. You might feel like you can make plays and never got the opportunity." Truth is, the Seahawks were the lucky ones. Because even though Smith was not supposed to be a starter this season, a player with zero interceptions in his first two years in the league, he always was ready when called upon. Pegged mainly as a special teams guy, Smith earned notice with his speed and ability to handle both outside linebacker slots. When Bruce Irvin was suspended for four games in May for violating the leagues policy on performance-enhancing substances, it was Smith who filled in as a starter. When Bobby Wagner was sidelined, and K.J. Wright slid over to middle linebacker, Smith got another opportunity to start. And when Wright broke his right foot late in the season, guess who Seattle called upon: Yep, Smith, of course. Then suddenly, on Sunday, there he was at the Super Bowl, in the right place and right time, as usual. It was Smith who wound up with the victory-sealing interception at the end of Seattles NFC championship game victory two weeks ago, grabbing the football after Richard Sherman deflected a pass in the end zone. And then, in the biggest game of all, Smiths pick-6 off a fluttering ball -- after teammate Cliff Avril made contact with Manning during the throw -- made it 22-0 late in the first half Sunday, and Seattle was on its way. "I was like, Again!? No way. I didnt believe it," Smith said. He grabbed a fumble later, too, capping quite a late-season surge. "Ive always just been taught to run to the ball and good things will happen for me," Smith said. "I played running back as a kid, so its always been the most exciting thing to have the ball in my hands." Custom Houston Texans Jerseys .com) - The disappointing Ottawa Senators hope to record consecutive wins for the first time since early November, as they visit the Boston Bruins on Friday for the opener of a home-and-home series. Brian Cushing Jersey . The football club recently announced an increase in season ticket prices in five of the seven categories at Investors Group Field for 2014. While most increases are in the two to three per cent range, the clubs most affordable season tickets will jump from $199 to $250 — a 26 per cent leap. http://www.footballtexansgearsshop.com/ ... at=941.com) - The Toronto Raptors set their sights on a second straight victory with the Oklahoma City Thunder visiting the Air Canada Centre tonight riding a two game streak of their own. Kevin Johnson Jersey . Clevelands manager had just watched his team lose 5-3 to Kansas City, which completed a 2-6 homestand and dropped the Indians 2 1/2 games behind Detroit in the AL Central. Arian Foster Jersey . This game was inside. Adrian Peterson was missing. The stage was set for another step toward the playoffs.Pittsburgh, PA (SportsNetwork.com) - Drew Brees threw five touchdown passes to five different receivers to stoke the New Orleans Saints 35-32 decision over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 13 action. Brees finished with 257 yards on 19-of-27 attempts for the Saints (5-7), who put a three-game losing streak to rest. Mark Ingram racked up 122 yards on 23 carries, while Kenny Stills posted 162 yards and a score on five receptions. Marques Colston, Benjamin Watson, Nick Toon and Erik Lorig added a TD catch apiece. Ben Roethlisberger threw two late TD passes to Antonio Brown, ending up 32- of-58 for 435 yards with two interceptions for the Steelers (7-5), who had won four of their last five coming in. LeVeon Bell led his club with 159 yards on eight receptions and had 95 yards with a score on 21 attempts, while Brown ended up posting 97 yards on eight grabs. Pittsburgh remains in a three-way tie with Baltimore and Cleveland for second place in the AFC North. Three plays into the hosts opening drive of the second half, Roethlisberger was picked off by Cameron Jordan, who returned the ball to the Steelers 15. Two snaps after that, Brees found Toon for an 11-yard score and 21-6 lead. Bell took it in from the one to cap Pittsburghs subsequent 83-yard drive with 4:21 remaining in the third, but the Steelers defense failed as Brees hit a wide-open Stills on the right sideline for a 69-yard TD play. Shaun Suisham hit from 47 yards away on the second snap of the fourth and the Steelers were within 28-16, yet the Saints moved 80 yards in nine plays and took a 35-16 edge on a 3-yard BBrees-to-Colston connection.dddddddddddd Roethlisbergers 53rd pass attempt of the afternoon fell into the hands of Brown with 2:34 to play and his successful conversion made it 35-24. The Saints went three-and-out, then a punt pinned the Steelers in the shadow of their own goal line. No matter, as the hosts moved 98 yards and Brown hauled in a 3-yard pass on the fifth play with no time left. The conversion pass was successful. Suisham bent a 49-yard attempt just inside the left upright to cap the Steelers second drive of the contest. He put another try through the goal posts inside the first minute of the second, this one from 31 yards away, after two potential TD passes were dropped on the previous two plays. The Saints took a 7-6 lead just before six minutes remained in the half as Brees found Watson for a 15-yard strike. Kenny Vaccaro then intercepted Roethlisberger in the end zone, and nine plays later Brees found Lorig for a 4-yard score and 14-6 contest. Suisham came up short on a 54-yard attempt on the final play of the half. Game Notes Brees recorded his ninth career game with at least five TD passes, equaling Peyton Manning for the most in NFL history ... Bell totaled 71 rushing yards in first quarter, while Roethlisberger had only 56 passing yards ... New Orleans won for the first time in Pittsburgh since a 20-16 decision at Three Rivers Stadium on Nov. 29, 1987 ... Steelers defensive end Brett Keisel left the game in the third quarter with a left triceps injury and did not return. 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